Defenses were what led the way for the Livingston County teams in 2016.

The defensive units were largely the reason that four of the five teams in the area made the playoffs.

Let’s get right to checking out the top-five nominees for this year’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Top 5

Adam Sieler, Pinckney football

Pinckney’s Wes Smith might be the favorite for Livingston Daily’s Defensive Player of the Year this year. But his fellow lineman, Sieler, also played an integral part in making Pinckney one of the best defenses — and arguably the best defense — in the area this year. The numbers aren’t quite as gaudy as some of the others you will see on this list, but the impact a defensive tackle makes isn’t always reflected in the numbers. Still, for a guy playing at the center of the defensive line and constantly taking on double teams, Sieler still managed to put up some impressive totals in just nine games (and counting). The Pinckney senior had 46 tackles and eight tackles for a loss, despite missing a game to injury. Twelve of those were solo with 34 more being assisted. He also notched 1 1/2 sacks on the season. He is certainly worthy of consideration and if in the end it does go to his teammate Smith, he will surely have to give a shoutout to Sieler, who prevented teams from constantly doubling the defensive end.

Jack Aigner, Brighton football

The Bulldogs replaced 10 of their 11 starters from a defensive unit that was one of the best in Brighton history last year. Many outsiders just assumed the defense would fall off in its second year under head coach Brian Lemons, especially with early matchups against Detroit East English Village and Northville. Aigner, the defense’s one returning player at linebacker, ensured that did not happen. With the high level of competition, it of course regressed from historically good, but the group was still very impressive, and again one of the area’s best. Aigner served as that group’s leader and one of its top playmakers. He flew around the field for a football team that went 7-3 overall and again won the KLAA West, recording 63 tackles — a team-high 13 of which were for a loss — one sack, three forced fumbles, four pass breakups and two interceptions.

Jack Johnson, Brighton football

Brighton faced arguably the toughest challenges of any team in the county this year. It started the season with Detroit East English Village and Northville, two of the best teams in Divisions 1 and 2, respectively, and then ended it with Walled Lake Western and Novi. And that’s not counting the KLAA West gauntlet of a schedule. These teams featured some of the best offenses in the state. And while the numbers weren’t quite as good, team-wise, as 2015, they were perhaps even more impressive given the schedule and given that the Bulldogs replaced 10-of-11 defensive starters from a year ago. And they still won the KLAA West. Johnson, a junior, was one of those replacements, and he had a stellar season at linebacker for the Dogs, racking up a team-high 97 tackles to go with 10 tackles for a loss, 1 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recovering and an interception. This was despite not playing in the season opener. Yeah, his senior season will be one to watch.

Trevor Brock, Fowlerville football

The Fowlerville offense was supposed to be the heart and soul of the team in 2016, at least that was the viewpoint of most entering the 2016 season. The offense was going to outscore most of its opponents, and the defense had to just make a play or so at the end to secure the win. That was far from what happened with the Gladiators, though. The offense was still excellent, but the defense was what spearheaded a season in which the Glads went 7-3 overall and made the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Brock was at the head of that defense, the quiet leader at linebacker who didn’t talk much, but just made plays. He recorded team highs in tackles (120), sacks (six), tackles for a loss (eight), forced fumbles (two), fumble recoveries (two) and defensive touchdowns (one). There were plenty of guys on Fowlerville’s defense, which gave up just 20.4 points per game this year, that could have been nominated, but Brock was the best playmaker on Fowlerville’s best defensive unit since 2009.

Wes Smith, Pinckney football

Last year, Brighton running back Joey Clifford blew away his competition for Livingston Daily’s Offensive Player of the Year award after posting one of the most impressive seasons from a runner that the county has seen. There was no player quite like him on offense this year, but in terms of being hands down the best, that just might be Smith on defense. If there is a favorite, he is most certainly it, as Smith was an absolute monster at defensive end, and the key cog in Pinckney’s 7-2 finish in the regular-season. Defensive ends are not supposed to put up the numbers that Smith did this year, as most teams elect to just run the other way or call for a double team. But Smith didn’t allow either of those things to prevent him from a huge year. He posted 84 tackles — ridiculous for a defensive lineman — which was second on the team. Additionally, Smith tallied a mind-blowing 25 tackles for a loss and 40 quarterback hurries, which don’t include his 8 1/2 sacks. He had two pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble as well for what, number-wise, was the county’s best defense. There were a bunch of excellent defensive players among the five area schools, but no one was quite like Smith. And, oh yeah, he still has at least one more game to post more stats.

Just Missed

Cauy Hendee, Pinckney football: It was tough leaving this kid off the list. By the end of Friday night, the Pirates linebacker could have more than 140 tackles and double-digit tackles for a loss. He currently sits at 132 tackles — a team high — and 9 1/2 for a loss along with two forced fumbles. It was just a stacked field this year, and two of his teammates got the nod. Fortunately, he returns for his senior campaign in 2017.

Nick Cain, Pinckney football: Ditto what was said for Hendee in terms of leaving him off. Cain not only made plays, but constantly seemed to make them when his team needed it the most. He had five interceptions on the year to go with seven passes defensed — both the most on the team.

Sam Williamson, Brighton football: The Bulldogs faced some of the best offenses in the state this year, and specifically offenses that knew how to throw the football. They relied on their defensive backs, and Williamson was arguably the best of them. He was consistent throughout the season, but it was highlighted by two interceptions at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor in Week 1, which helped the Dogs beat Detroit East English Village and become the first high school team to ever win a game at The Big House.

Tommy Quaine, Fowlerville football: The second-leading tackler on the Glads this year with 89, who recorded the second-most tackles for a loss (six) and sacks (two). He was part of a three-headed monster at linebacker that included Brock and Wyatt Thomas.

Wyatt Thomas, Fowlerville football: Brock put up the best numbers, but Quaine and Thomas were the vocal leaders, the two in charge or turning around a Fowlerville defense that was previously a stepping stone for its opponents. They were responsible for changing the attitude. Thomas posted 66 tackles with four tackles for a loss, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.